1997 Pontiac Sunfire - Low Beams Don't Work

i know it is eletrical problem if that helps like could you describ where the parts are if you describ it i tried googleing everything but i keep ending up here thanks soo much

Tasha,

I just fixed my girlfriends car that had the same problem. It was a 2006 Chrysler 300.

1.) First I just bought a low beam bulb and replaced it, the low beam bulb was good that I took out, but the model was difficult to change.

2.) Then I check the fuses, it had a fuse for the Left Head Light and one for the right, that was not it.

3.) Then I check the wiring to the bulb, and 2" behind the connection it was rubbing on the frame thus shorting it out, I put a splice on it and that was that.

Car that age, number 3.) is most likely the cause.

good luck,

p911

ps

I also sent an email, it was returned, you sure thats correct.

yea for myspace... myspace.com/Tashalee_5ive

Could be the column switch.

Can you tell us, when lights are on and you try to switch from 'Hi' to 'Lo', can you see the 'Lo' beam come on, and then turn off again when switch is released?

Can you give any more detailed symptoms? This increases the chance of better troubleshooting from 1,216 mile away!

when i turn on the car the high beams atomaticaly come on and when i switch to low beams not light comes from them except the orange ones... but thats when the lights are not on and if i reply like this everyone can see right? but yea no light other then the top orange ones work..

1) Get a good service manual for your car that has wiring diagrams. Or, head to your local library (if it has auto repair manuals) and copy the wiring diagrams from it. It should also have some basic information on how to test simple electrical parts, such as lights, wiring, switches and fuses.

Note the wiring running from the headlights to the headlight switch, along with the fuses which power these circuits. The manual should also tell you where these fuses and the switch are located.

2) Get a 12 volt test lamp from an auto parts store or electronics store. You want one with a probe and a clip.

3) Examine CLOSELY the wiring diagrams, and start checking. First thing you might do is to see if the fuse is good (Blown fuse will appear burned). Then, check to see if you have voltage to the light bulbs and voltage from the headlight switch.

The headlight switch could be bad, the dimmer switch could be bad, could be a wiring problem, could be fuse problems, even bulbs (unlikely, but possible).

Let us know how it goes.

And, e-mail addresses in these forums are not a good idea. Spammers are looking for them.

I had that happen to me many years ago. It was just that the low beams were just out. Changing the lamps took care of the problem. The headlights age at the same rate so when one went out, the other went out soon after. I just had not noticed that one went out until the other did. Use a VOM and check for continuity through the filiments. If that is ok, then its in the wiring or the switch.

Good luck

I don't know if your car has Xenon lights, but if yes, many have Xenon only for the low beams.....but they break very seldom....so it could be a fuse.....or a switch.....

Just a thought...

Let us know what it is in the end....

I would suspect that the low beams might be out. Since the low beams are used more than your high beams they tend to go out first. When your low beams go out the high beams will typically still function. You could take a test light (available at most auto parts stores) and check for voltage at the connectors when the low beams are on. This would tell you if it is the low beams or if you might have other problems such as a blown fuse. It would also be a good idea to get a service manual (also available at your local auto parts store). These manuals typically have a troubleshooting section that will help you determine what the problem might be. The manuals also have pictures that help to locate where things are at on a car. This makes troubleshooting a lot easier. Either way best of luck.

ok i will srry i wasnt on in a day i will try it all and if i go to the auto parts store can they test the charge? to see if me putting in a new light would even work and, i think that they are regular balbs but thanks ill cheack the fuses in a lil bit and ill be on here to let you guys know ok thanks and where are the ground wires would those be under the car? cause i want to check to see if carroded or no intaked... thanks again tasha

Most Auto parts stores can and do offer to help check out simple items. Depending on the auto parts store they may be willing to check the circuit. It might be worth just buying one bulb to see if it works on low beam. If it does then you may get lucky and it may be just a bulb problem. It is a lot easier to check the easy stuff first then to start worrying about grounds and shorts. There are many ground points on a car and finding shorts is a car is one of the hardest things to do. I can say from experience that auto wiring is a nightmare. I was a heavy line mechanic for about 10 years and I still work on cars for fun. Good luck, I will cross my fingers and hope that it is just a bulb issue.